Ousted union cleaners return to work in Secaucus
Source: North Jersey
BY HUGH R. MORLEY
Happy to be back, seven janitors returned to work cleaning an office building on Lighting Way in Secaucus on Tuesday night, 15 months after they were ousted when the building cleaning contract changed hands, sparking a bitter battle between the workers' union and their employer.
The workers were among 26 who have gotten their jobs back after the unionized cleaning contractors at the Secaucus building and two others — in East Rutherford and Bernards Township in Somerset County — were replaced by the buildings' owners in June and July 2014.
The incoming contractor for all three buildings, Eastern Essential Services of Fairfield, hired non-union workers, who were paid less than their union predecessors. The displaced workers and Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union launched a vigorous campaign of rallies and protests, and a legal effort to regain their jobs.
Following a July ruling in the union's favor, Eastern Essential Services no longer holds the cleaning contract at the East Rutherford and Secaucus buildings. It was replaced by the property's owners, who were tired of the high-profile battle with the union, Local 32BJ officials said.
FULL story at link.
JENNIFER BROWN/SPECIAL TO THE RECORD
Janitors going back to work at 300 Lighting Way in Secaucus on Tuesday. The workers lost their jobs when their cleaning contract was given to another cleaning contractor. Their union then organized rallies, protests and a legal effort in a bid to return the cleaners to work. Joining them was their union representative, Martha Motato, left.
Read more: http://www.northjersey.com/towns/unionized-cleaners-return-1.1417205
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